Todd Bosma is the Assistant Director of Game Operations for the Portland Trail Blazers. Todd is letting Blazers fans take a peek into the BCB New York trip through his personal journal entries.
November 11, 2001 - 8:00 am PST
November 11, 2001 - 10:30 pm EST
November 12, 2001 - 8:00 am EST
November 13, 2001 - 9:45am EST
November 13, 2001 - 5:45pm EST
November 14, 2001 - 8:45am EST
Tuesday– November 13, 2001
5:45pm (EST)
Sorry that I got cut off the last time I wrote in the journal, but we had computer issues, but thanks to the assistance of Melinda Merrick, we are back on board. Let's see where did I leave off. I believe I was going to tell you all about the basketball clinic that we did at Stuvesyant High School right at ground zero at the World Trade Center.
We were supposed to have a player with us, but with traffic and bus issues as well as Mitchell Butler having to do a pre-game workout with the trainer, it was not possible for us to bring him. We were disappointed and knew that the kids were going to be disappointed too.
These things happen, and as we have learned from our trip "Don't sweat the small stuff," not that not having a player with us is small stuff, but the show must go on.
On our bus ride home, Melinda G. gave everyone the option of attending the clinic that Nick, Jerry and I were going to run, and all but 3 (and 1 of them was really sick) of our staff decided to pass on sleep and come out and support what we were doing. That was awesome, and guys if I didn't thank you in person - Thanks to you now! It meant a lot for you all to come out and be with us.
We got to the High School and realized that it is 1 block behind the respite center, so there we were again right at ground zero. This is a school that was evacuated on September 11th; there are kids that go to this school that were running for their lives as the buildings were collapsing.
To get into the main entrance of the school, you have to cross a skybridge. About 3/4's of the way to the entrance if you look to your left you can see what is left of the World Trade Center Plaza - and you are higher up so you can see it all! It’s an amazing site; it’s a humbling experience. As I said before, you can't put it into words, and to think that these kids have to go to school and walk by ground zero. They have to smell the smells that are down there (and it does have a distinct odor) then have to cross this bridge and look out and see the wreckage everyday - I don't know how they can concentrate on school.
Our first clinic consisted of 100 juniors and seniors. We gathered them together on the bleachers and introduced Nick Jones who gave a little talk. The weird part was that when he mentioned that we had been up for the hours we were awake because we were working at the Respite center a block away, the kids started clapping for us! They know what’s going on, they get it - even though they’re kids, they appreciate people coming from around the country to pitch in wherever they can. It was neat to see. We talked about the fundamentals of shooting then invited everyone down to the floor to try their hand at it. We split the groups and had shooting competitions and a lot of fun.
Next was 150 sophomores and freshman. Again we introduced Nick and he talked about jump shots and all that, then we did something fun. We selected 11 freshman and 11 sophomores and they did a shooting competition to see which class had better shooters. The punishment for losing was push-ups in front of all their peers. The sophomores won, but the freshman wouldn't quit, so we played again only this time the punishment was 10 seconds of "a dying cockroach." What’s that?? Well a dying cockroach is when you get the individual to lay on their back and then they have wave their arms and legs in the air and yell out - "I'm A Dying Cockroach, I'm A Dying Cockroach!" The embarrassment level is sky high. Again the freshman lost!
At the conclusion of the clinics we presented the school with a team-autographed basketball and a banner saying that The Trailblazers Love NY. The kids seemed to have a good time, and I know I had a great time. It’s funny, I was dog-tired and about to hit the wall, but then once the kids started coming in the gym - it was like instant energy. It was such a great experience!!
Back on the bus and to the Hotel where we had about 2 hours to get some sleep, some food, and get ready to go the Blazers/Knicks game. Jerry and I did lots of yelling at the clinic, so our throats were on fire. Once back at the hotel we ventured off to find some ice cream. I got myself a coffee milk shake, and Jerry got a mocha chip milk shake, hmmm do I notice a caffeine theme here??
Back to the Hotel around 4:45 (a little over an hour until we have to meet the bus). We retired to our separate quarters and I started typing my journal (that was the one prior to this). I got that done then 15 minutes later we reported to the bus to go to Madison Square Garden.
Tuesday– November 13, 2001
6:30pm (EST)
We are at Madison Square Garden - this feels good because it means that we are at our reward. I don't know how she did it, but somehow Melinda G was able to get us a Suite at the game, so after all our hard work and no sleep (currently at 38 straight hours) now was the time to relax and enjoy the game. It was also another way to say thank-you to Billy Quick for showing us around the city. Billy showed up with his wife, so it was a good time for them too (and yes they did root for the Blazers and not the Knicks that night). As you all probably know, the game was close but unfortunately we ended up on the short side of things. The game was sloppily played during the first half, and the Knicks just made more shots than we did. Then in the third quarter we showed what the Blazers are capable of - we overcame a big deficit and took the lead. Good transition basketball and pressure defense was the key to us making our run. The 4th quarter was Alan Houston time, and when he started knocking down his shots, we knew we were in trouble.
At the final buzzer, the Knicks were out on top - it would have been nice to see a Blazers victory on the road, but being there in a suite at MSG wasn’t too bad either!
After the game, Sue Carpenter got us "guest passes" so we could hang out in the bleachers for a bit. One by one, she brought out a few of the players to meet Billy Quick. Billy got to spend some time with Bob Whitsitt, Steve Kerr, Dale Davis, Rasheed Wallace and Scottie Pippen.
I think Billy got a kick out of meeting all the guys and I know the players enjoyed the chance to personally thank Billy for all the things he has done as a fireman and as our tour guide.
We all met up at the Trump Tower for a quick drink, and then I was off to bed. YEAH!!!! I got back to hotel and started packing up my things. I finally lay down to go to bed, turned off my light and looked up at the clock. It said 1:00am - I had been up for the last 42 hours!! Needlessly to say, I slept well that that night!
